Hikers in Hawaii will have to find a new way to reach the Heavens.
The legendary Haiku Staircase on Oahu, Hawaii will finally be demolished after tourists continued to trespass on the legendary landmark despite repeated warnings.
According to the Honolulu City Government, the iconic site will be torn down by the end of this month, making good on a motion that the city unanimously voted on in 2021.
“I can promise you that this was not a capricious decision,” Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a press release. “This was a decision, when we came into office, that was long overdue.”
Often dubbed the “Stairway to Heaven,” the Haiku Staircase comprises a treacherously steep series of 3,922 steps that winds along a mountain range in Kaneohe, making hikers feel like they’re in the clouds.
Built during World War II by the US Navy, the landmark was shuttered in 1987 due to vandalism and littering. Any trespassers are currently liable for a $1,000 fine.
Despite the financial deterrent and the dangerous terrain, daredevils, sightseers and social media content creators continued to ascend the stairs.
